How To Detect Investment Fraud

July 10, 2008

Deceptive pitches for investments often misrepresent or leave out facts in order to promote fantastic profits with little risk. No investment is risk-free and a high rate of return means greater risk. Before investing, get written information such as a prospectus or annual report. Beware if a salesperson:

Encourages you to borrow money or cash in retirement funds to invest
Pressures you to invest immediately
Promises quick profits
Says that the disclosure documents required by federal law are just a formality
Tells you to write false information on your account form
Sends material with typos or misspellings or not printed on letterhead
Does not send your money promptly
Offers to share inside information
Uses words like “guarantee,” “high return,” “limited offer,” or “as safe as a CD”
Uses the phrase “this investment is IRA approved”
Claims “off-shore investments are tax-free and confidential”